Explosive container



Patented July 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE EXPLOSIVE CONTAINER Donald G. Magill, Great Neck, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application November I, 1940, Serial No. 364,734

Claims. (01. 102-22) The present invention relates to a package for explosives such as dynamite or other similar materials which may be used in deep shot holes drilled in the ground for making wells, etc., and has particular reference to an improved package with a simple cheap effective connected unit for holding together individual containers having sealed-in charges of the explosive so that the unitary package may be easily handled, may be inserted in the shot hole without difilculty and may be discharged in an efiicient manner, the sum of the individual charges making up the desired charge and the individual containers constituting a single unitar package.

When such explosives are to be used in blasting wells or other subterranean passages in the earth the particular kind of excavation and the nature of the substrata determine the amount of charge necessary. To prepare for such blasting, shot holes are drilled to the desired depth and often these holes partially fill with water. It is, however, necessary that the explosive placed in the hole be permanently wrapped or incased so as to be undamaged by water or moisture seepage.

The present invention contemplates a simple cheap fibre package for holding the explosive which is water and moisture-proof and which is provided with end closures formed in such manner as to insure easy connection between individual fibre containers to produce a single unitary explosive package. The improved joint which is made by the end members securely holds the parts together while they are being placed into position in the shot hole and effectively retains the charge in a desired condition so that it can be subsequently successfully detonated or discharged.

A successful discharge of packaged explosives comprising connected units is largely dependent upon the close relationship between the individual containers. In other words the explosive shock of the detonator to be most effective must be readily transmitted from one unit to the next' for otherwise the full force of the explosive is not obtained. The present invention provides for such close association of the individual parts.

An object of the invention is the provision of an improved package for containing an explosive which comprises individual fibre cans having end members which may be easily joined with end members of other cans so that any required number of separate charges may be secured together to provide a single unit and where the end to end contact between individual containers is so close as to impart the detonation shock from one to another of the individual units with a minimum of loss.

Another object is the provision of specially formed wooden end members for fibre containers of the character described which may be quickly and easily secured to corresponding end members of the containers and which will effectively hold together all of the joined cans in a secure position, the composite unit being proof against seepage of water or other foreign matter that might otherwise act to damage the explosive material contained in the package.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it, is better understood irom the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the bottom of a drilled shot hole illustrating in perspective a composite unit package of explosive and embodying the present invention, such a package being formed by uniting several of the individual can units together;

Fig. 2 is a separated sectional fragment on an enlarged scale of the ends of two individual containers together with a connecting pin for bolding the two parts together; and

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating two containers secured together.

The composite unit fora given charge of dynamite or other explosive comprises the desired number of individual fibre containers H which are joined together in a manner hereinafter fully explained. Each fibre container consists of a built-up cylindrical body wall preferably of chipboard layers held together by glue. Such a body wall may be of the spirally wound type or of the laminated construction, the drawing illustrating the spiral construction.

The body wall is rendered water and moisture proof in suitable manner as by a film of asphalt applied to the outside surface of the body. Obviously this water proofing could be obtained by applying suitable proofing materials to the inside wall or in between the wall layers. Such an asphalt film will also extend over the raw end edges of the laminated body wall and prevent moisture seepage through the fibre wall stock. n

Each fibre body H when first made up is open at its ends and each end is adapted to be closed by a wooden, ceramic or other type of plu 12; A plug I2 is inserted in one end of the container,

then a charge of dynamite or other explosive is filled into the container and finally a second plug is driven in the opposite end of the filled container. The plugs are preferably tapered to provide a tighter fit and the second plug will, be

driven in so as to press tightly against the dynaparts of the package thus giving good explosion of the dynamite.

A wooden or other kind of pin i5 is provided for securing adjacent cans together. Such a pin is preferably tapered at both ends (as at it in Fig. 2) the outside diameter of the plug at its middle or along the line H being slightly in excess of the inside diameter of the recess 83. Preparatory to joining together two closed cans of the explosive it is merely necessary to insert the tapered pin ib'into the recess of one of the plug members i2 and drive it inuntil it is fully seated in the recess. This forms the cheapest and at the same time one of the most efiective closures for the end of the body. A wooden plug is entirely satisfactory and should the wood get wet, the joint would become tighter with the swelling action. Itwill be understood that a metal pin could be used if desired and such a pin could be threaded. A metal pin could be inserted into the plug recess by turning the pin relative to the plug and so that the threads of the pin would cut grooves or threads in the wooden plug.

However, such added expense is unnecessary as a friction fit between plug and pin is secure enough for the present purpose.

After the pin has been fully seated in the re-' cess of a plug 52, a second sealed can is brought into position for attachment to the extended part of the pin. By pressing the two cans together or by driving one can onto the other, the'tapered outer end of the pin of the first can enters and securely holds in the recess of the plug of the second can. When the two cans are fully connected the contacting body edges of the Joined cans closely engage the asphalt water-proofing material on the edges which preferably fuse together as illustrated in Fig. 3. The engaged faces of the wooden plugs fit so closely together as to provide a connection which will readily transmit all explosive shocksv from one can to another.

Any number of separate cans may, thus be joined together to provide the desired amount of dynamite or other explosive material which is thus contained within the composite package which is lowered into the well and conventional detonation instruments may be used to discharge the dynamite. Figure 1 schematically shows a dynamite cap or detonator l8 and wires i9, 2!!

connecting with the cap will conduct the proper electrical impulse to the can.

Owing to the water-proof nature of the individually closed cans and the secure attachment of adjacent cans one with another, water or other foreign material is prevented from passing through the fibre walls and the wooden end plugs will also keep the moisture from the dynamite in the individual cans and the explosive is thus maintained in proper condition for detonation when desired. Owing to the 'close association oi the component parts, the detonation shock is transmitted practically without-diminution to all It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement 01' the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all'of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A unitary package for explosives or the like in which the explosive is sealed in two or more individual containers, which comprises individual water and moisture-proof fibre can bodies, end plug members forclosing and sealing, the ends of said bodies with the contents confined therein, said members extending a short distance into said ends and in contact with said bodies to sup-- port and lend rigidity to said bodies, and a connecting pin adapted for engagement with the end members of two adjacent can bodies for securing the individual containers together in bodily contact one with the other to form a unitary package.

2. A unitary package for explosives or the like in which the explosive is sealed in two or more individual containers, which comprises individual water and moisture-proof fibre can bodies, end

.plug members for closing and sealing the ends of said bodies with the contents confined therein, each of said end members having a recess in its outer wall and having a peripheral wall extending into a said end and in contact with an inner body wall to support said body ,in its predetermined form, and a connecting pin adapted for Joining together the end members of two adjacent can bodies by engagement in said recesses of said end members for securing the individual containers together with the adjacent faces of the connected 'end members in close surface to surface contact to form a unitary package.

3. A unitary package for explosives or the like in which the explosive is sealed in a plurality of individual containers.

individually sealed containers, which comprises individual water and moisture-proof fibre can bodies, tapered end ends of said bodies in a moisture-tight fit for sealing the contents confined therein and for supporting said fibre body in. its predetermined fprm, each plug having a recess in its outer wall, and tapered pins for locking the individually sealed containers together to form a unitary package, a said pin being seated in the plug remembers and holding members in close surinsure proper detonacontained in the said the adjacent facesof said face to surface contact to tion of all oi the explosive 4. A unitary package for explosives or the like in which the explosive is sealed in two or more individual containers, which comprisesindividual hollow waterproof and moistureproof fibre can bodies, end plug members adapted to seal the and to extend a short distance into said ends to support said bodies against collapse, a fusible waterproofing substance applied to the extreme end wall surfaces of said containers, and a connecting pin adapted for engagement with the said end members of two adjacent can bodies thereby to secure the individual containers together to form a unitary package and to unite said fusible waterproof plug members seated in theibatahce on the adjacent end surfaces to form fused waterproof Joint.

5. A unitary package for explosives or the like i which the explosive is sealed in two or more idividual containers, which comprises individual ibular, waterproof and moistureproot fibre can odies, end plug members extending wholly with- 1 the open ends of each of said tubular bodies nd bein: there secured to the inner wall of each aid body in sealing and supporting engagement, 10

a fusible waterproofing substance applied to and sealing the raw edges at the ends 01 said tubular bodies and a connecting pin adapted for engagement with the said end members of two adjacent can bodies thereby to secure the individual containers together to form a unitary package and to unite the fusible waterproof substance on the adjacent raw edges of the thus secured bodies to form a fused waterproot joint therebetween.

"DONALD G. MAG-ILL. 

